Egyptian Christians attacked, dozens of churches torched

A picture taken on August 18, 2013 shows a burnt icon in the Amir Tadros coptic Church in Minya, some 250 kms south of Cairo, which was set ablaze on August 14, 2013. (AFP Photo/Virginie Nguyen Hoang) / AFP

Nearly 40 churches across Egypt were looted and set ablaze, while 23 others were severely damaged in attacks over the last several days. It remains unclear who is behind the attacks, with both the Muslims Brotherhood and extremists being blamed.

In one incident, the Archangel Michael Church, about 50
kilometers from Cairo, became the latest victim of the violence
sweeping Egypt.

The unknown attackers sprayed graffiti on the church, with the
inscriptions reading, "Allah u Akbar" ["God is
Great"], "Egypt is Islamic," and "Sisi is a
Murderer," referring to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Islamists also paraded three Christian nuns through the streets
and sexually abused two other women in Cairo after torching a
Franciscan school over the weekend.

The assault follows multiple attacks and acts of arson targeting
Coptic churches, as well as the homes and businesses of Christian
minorities in Egypt.

A wave of Islamist anger swept the country following the July 3
ouster of former president Mohammed Morsi.

In some cases, though, Christians united with moderate Muslims to
protect churches and monasteries from extremists’ attacks. Their
efforts, however, were not enough to ensure the security of the
religious sites.

Christians account for only 10 percent of Egypt’s 90-million
strong population. Attacks on Copts dramatically increased
following the Arab Spring uprising almost three years ago, which
brought the Muslim Brotherhood to power.

About a third (35%) of Egyptian Muslims pointed out that all,
most or many Muslims in their country are hostile toward
Christians, according to a Pew Research Center survey of the
world’s Muslims. Meanwhile, about half (50%) of Egyptian Muslims
stress that all, most or many Christians are hostile toward
Muslims – the highest share in the 26 countries where the
question was asked.

The Muslim Brotherhood, in turn, has denied any involvement in
the attacks.

Amr Darrag from the Freedom and Justice Party told RT that
“the Muslim Brotherhood has always been protecting
churches.” Citing a priest in Minya - where many Christian
churches were attacked this week - Darrag said that the
“attacks were orchestrated by thugs who cooperate with
security forces.” He added that allegations of Islamist
groups attacking the places of worship are unfounded.

“These allegations are being propounded by the current
[regime], in order to justify the aggression.”

Last week Egypt was marred by a deadly crackdown and nationwide
clashes that left more than 800 people killed as police attempted
to remove peaceful sit-ins in support of the deposed president.